Boating basics

Jeff,
If you have a local Power Squadron (USPS) look them up and take some coarses. There you can learn all there is to know about safe boating, and how to handle your vessel. The old salts will help you along the way. I did this 4 years ago, and it helped me tremendously.

Coarses offred:
Boat Smart
Seamanship 1 & 2
Piloting
Advanced Piloting
Navigation
Weather
Marine Electronics
Engine Maintenance
Cruise Planning
Etc.
Good Luck with your new boat.

Patrick AP
Sarasota Power Squadron
District 22
 
ok thanks Les and Pascal. Looks like I got #1 and #2 covered then.

I must say, it has been a lot easier with the twin screw versus the single, but I have yet to use the spring lines to come in. If you are coming into a new dock with just the cleats there and no line, any advice on getting it on to the dock cleat?
 
assuming a dock with cleats on the edge, what i do is tie the eye to the boat cleat, throw the line on the dock while holding the bitted end, catching the cleat. Then i tie the bitter end back on the boat cleat.

i do that for the spring line first, then when the boat is along side repeat for the stern and bow lines. Much easier and safer than jumping on the dock (especailly if the dock is low) with a larger boat which cant' be held or pulled when the wind goes over 10 to 15.

I also keep a telescoping boat hook nearby (extends to about 15') if i miss the throw. If the dock has piling and no cleats, lassoing cowboy style isn' easy so again the long boat hook comes in handy
 
ok, that's what I was thinking. So essentially, when you make the throw and hold onto the bitter end, I assume you just throw ahead of the cleat and then pullback with the bitter end to bring it underneath the dock cleat. In essence throwing the middle of the line - because the end of the line is attached to a cleat on the boat and you maintain control of the bitter end.
 
yes, i throw the middle of the line (the bight) on the dock behind the cleat so that a gentle pull on the bitter end catches the cleat. obviously once the boat is tied up, you need to tie the line to the cleat...
 
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